May 21, 2007

Make and mail 'em, girls!

Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to stamp? That you purchase all these wonderful supplies but then don't make and send out cards? Then stay tuned this week cuz I'm gonna give you my best tips for organizing your card list, mass producing cards and getting them mailed out! We all know how wonderful it feels to receive a hand made card....and on time. So let's get on the ball and get rolling!

Tip of the day: Organizing your list of cards to send out. First, get all your birthday, anniversary, etc dates on ONE calendar and keep addresses organized in an address book of some sorts. We all have some sort of system...get it in order all in one place. Next, make a monthly list of all the cards you need to send out. Refer to your master list and also add occasions that pop up like get well cards, sympathy cards, baby cards, etc. So for June, I would look at my calendar towards the end of May and make my list. I just use sticky notes and write the name, occasion and date. So for example, my list might look like this:

I keep my list with my postage stamps in a little basket with some nice writing pens. As I get cards made for the month, I add them to the basket. I also write the birthday or occasion date on the corner of the finished card envelope where the stamp would go. This way I can look at the cards and send them out a few days in advance. When it's time to mail out a card, I place the postage stamp over the date I had written. Easy peasy and my cards get sent out ON TIME!

Okay, I gotta get to work so I need to wrap up. I take that sticky note list that I compiled and then stamp all my cards for the following month or months if I have time. Those cards go in that organized basket. For today, I'm showing you one sheet wonder samples made with the two step stamping technique. I chose Papertrey's new Little Lady ladybug set, so cute! I stamped one sheet of ladybug and flower images but you could stamp several sheets depending on the number of cards you need or to keep in a file for future use. I got 4 cards out of this one sheet. Depending on what occasion cards you need, stamp different sentiments on one style card. By using images that are *generic* like the ladybugs, flowers, etc, you can make a lot of cards out of one style.

Stay tuned tomorrow for some tips on how I actually stamp in mass production. Have a great day!

39 comments:

Mish, I'm a very organized but love your tip about the date on the enevelope. Will use that one and love the basket idea - I put my cards in a drawer but I like the idea of seeing them out. I can't wait for more information on mass producing. I learn so much from your tip of the day. TFS so much!!! Have a great day!

Michelle...first of all, LOVE your blog. I love that you add the "tips" from a seasoned stamper, so someone newer like me can skip the "live and learn". I can't wait to see your tips for mass production. I just finished a card lunch tin for my mom and want to fill it. I'm sure these tips will help. TFS. Janet

MOre of a question than a comment, I notice that when you make 1 card, you have also made several more of that same card. I'd like to start doing this. Do you design the card first then duplicate or do you have another method? Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks for the awesome tip! I so need to get organized. I started out the year running about two weeks behind on B-day cards, and it's only getting worse. I'm really embarrassed to admit that. I'm going to try to put your idea into use.

Love your ladybug OSW! I got my set last week too but haven't had time to play!

Great idea! (almost as great as the new haircut!) Considering that I'm someone who stamps a lot, I never have the right card at the right time. I think it's a great idea to have one day of the month that I just knock out a supply for myself.

GREAT ideas here!!! I have a HUGE stockpile of cards, but find I am running low on female b-day and anniversary cards, so I am going to follow your tips here. AND I am definitely CASEing this adorable ladybug card. TOOOOOO Cute!

Hi Mish - my first time commenting on your blog. I noticed you thanked your "West Virginia girls." I'm not one of them, but I AM in West Virginia!

Anyway, I love your organizing ideas and thought I would add a tip of my own. I do birthday/anniversary cards for our church and one thing I do is pre-address the envelopes. I sit down and do the whole month of envelopes (and put the dates on them like you do) and then I go through my stock of cards, pick out what I want, put the cards with the pre-addressed envelopes. Then, as I have time I sit down and write my personal greetings and sign the cards. Usually within one or two settings I have all the cards in their envelopes and ready to mail. Some months I have had as many as 30 greetings to send out, so doing these things is a GREAT time saver and stress reducer!Rhonda from West VirginiaSCS - navywifearmymom

I just love your blog! You work is always awesome and these tips are just fantastic! I REALLY appreciate that you share so much information. Thank you! I'm lovin the ladybugs and your next post too with the OSW!